Help with Antique Sgian Dubh Provenance

**O'Neille** · 17th December 07, 06:34 PM

I'm hoping that the learned populace of xmarks can help me with dating and identifying this little treasure. I purchased this for myself on Ebay. I have no indication of it's history other than I got it from an ebay seller in Florida. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I liked it from the moment I saw the listing. I had to have it. I wanted it so I could see the assembly detail and make a copy for general use.

Total Length 6 5/8 inches

Blade 2 7/8 x 5/8 (includes recess into bolster) marked FLETCHER (best guess)

No sheath

Stone 1 x 5/8 (my feeling is that it is a fairly soft amber)

Silver ferrules appear to have been embossed with a fine
stamp. No hallmarks visible. Friction and pin fit to handle.
Very nice carving and patina.

Unknown wood

Total weight 40 grams

I'll include a bunch of pictures and see what I can learn.

**O'Neille** · 17th December 07, 06:39 PM

Oops, I hit submit instead of preview.

Thanks for any insight you may have. O'Neille

**ChattanCat** · 17th December 07, 06:46 PM

I don't know about Fletcher, but you got a great deal there. The detail is amazing on the handle.

**pdcorlis** · 17th December 07, 07:35 PM

I'm sorry I can't help you my friend - but that is one beautiful treasure you have there!

Congratulations and good luck.

**James MacMillan** · 18th December 07, 03:59 AM

From the flix, I can see why you fell in love with it. Especially if you got it for a good price!

Nice find.

**Woodsheal** · 18th December 07, 05:16 PM

My guess is that it's a Victorian period civilian sgian which some previous owner put to alot of use as a practical knife. That blade is surely quite worn down from its original dimensions!

**O'Neille** · 18th December 07, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

My guess is that it's a Victorian period civilian sgian which some previous owner put to alot of use as a practical knife. That blade is surely quite worn down from its original dimensions!

I agree about the blade wear. I would guess it was a drop point and has taken on this shape with repeated use and sharpening. It still has a decent edge. The wood on the back of the handle also shows some use wear.

I've done some searching for Fletcher and if not a manufacturer it might have been the owner. I'm only aware of the Glenorchy Fletchers so I might look there a little.

A gentle rubbing with a terry towel removed some grit and the silver came back to life nicely.

I also found out that the previous owner sold it for and elderly gentleman who has been collecting knives for 50 years. This was one of the first he acquired.

**DTrain** · 18th December 07, 06:10 PM

That looks at least 50 years old but has wonderful craftsmanship! I am jealous! What a nice find.

**Kilted in Maine** · 19th December 07, 08:59 AM

I had this on an e-bay watch as well but did not bid.

I am glad it went into good hands.

**TheKiltedWonder** · 19th December 07, 11:06 AM

that's so great! Is there anyway you can get in touch with this knife collector for whom it was being sold?

You might also want to try and see if there's a cutlery museum or a sgian dubh museum somewhere. I have been trying to find info on German made piccolo and could find next to nothing on the maker (Otto Mönnig). Then as a last resort I posted something on a museum's forum. Turns out the museum was in Otto's home town! Here's hoping you have the same luck!